I’ve been writing music for 21 years. I had been up and down on the rollercoaster of creativity and accepted that my relationship with music may have been fading. Of all things to resuscitate my creativity, it was a pandemic sweeping across the land. A month of being holed up at home forced me to put pen to paper with a sense of urgency and figure out how to collaborate from a safe distance. Out of this darkness came a light in the form of songs and collaboration. It’s an extremely special feeling to find one’s niche and I feel that after two decades of searching, I’ve stumbled into what I was supposed to be doing. This site is going to be the home of collaborations with artists I’ve known for a long time and always wanted to work with, some familiar folks I’ve worked with for ages and hopefully some people I meet along the way. Songs will be available here for streaming, but you can own them for $1.  Each song will be accompanied by an original work of art from my mother Marian Howard, whose work is visible above. All the money will be split with musicians as we figure out our way forward in this Brave New World. 
With Love

Alfred Howard

Dovekeeper is a powerful, genre-defying ensemble that blends raw emotion with gritty musical craftsmanship. At the heart of the band is their dynamic frontwoman Yonat Piva, a gifted singer-songwriter with a distinctive voice that ranges from sultry and soulful to fierce and full of fire. With her blues-infused guitar style, she weaves heartfelt, nostalgic, and at times, unapologetically raw stories that reflect the complexities of love, life, and personal transformation.

The band's sound is driven by a rhythm section that pounds with the force of conviction—tight, energetic, and bold. Every song pulses with urgency and passion, from reflective ballads that pull at the heartstrings to defiant anthems that demand change. Whether delving into the intricacies of relationships, confronting inner struggles, or challenging societal norms, Dovekeeper’s music resonates with listeners who crave authenticity, power, and a connection to the deeper truths of the human experience.

Their live shows are electric, often blurring the lines between introspection and rebellion, with each performance feeling like a cathartic release. Dovekeeper captures the essence of struggle and triumph in a soundscape that is equal parts blues, rock, and soul.

In a world where personal and societal change feels both urgent and necessary, Dovekeeper is a band that invites you to sing, scream, and reflect on your own journey—one song at a time. 'Dovekeeper' has shared the stage with artists such as post rock musician Fink and singer-songwriter Foy Vance. In 2014 they played TEDx Berkeley to a audience of 1400 at Zellerbach Hall.

 A self-released EP Daybreak produced by Jordan Feinstein and Robin Applewood dropped in August 2013 and can be found on Spotify under the artist name Yonat.

Kelly McFarling is an Atlanta born, Bay Area based singer, songwriter. Her songs capture a specific flavor palette forged of Georgia clay and California gold.

Her latest album Deep the Habit is out March 12th 2021.

Singer-Songwriter Oakland, CA.  Folk music with heart.

Jesse Brewster is a dynamic writer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Fast or slow, heavy or soft, there’s an infectious pull in Brewster’s songwriting that is impossible to ignore. On stage Brewster and his band perform with a symbiotic grace, and his studio creations are deep and engaging.

Shady Maples' debut 2012 album is a boiling concoction of acoustic, lapsteel and electric guitars, organs, mandolin, and harmony. Singer songwriter and guitarist Owen Roberts wraps "visceral lyrics" (SF Chronicle) around hard driving and kick back melodies for a sound that swells and recedes.

After two years touring the west coast and a successful crowd funding effort, Roberts and co-producer Greg Peters holed up at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley with drummer Trent Boeschen, bassist Dennis Haneda, Brooklyn Bill Bell and his pump and Hammond organs, and Bay Area songstress Kelly McFarling. 

KQED describes the album as "perfectly Californian" in its lyrical treatment of nature and social consciousness, and NBC San Diego calls the sound "explosive" and "dynamic." Live they are joined by cellist Shira Lee Katz and Micah Dubreuil on keys.

shadymaples is following